Surface projectile target member and simulated target pivoted thereby

ABSTRACT

A game in which a rolling ball upon striking at least one revolvable cylinder which is loosely mounted on a horizontal rod imparts energy thereto to produce revolution of the cylinder which will strike the bottom of a pivotally mounted, rearwardly positioned target or indicator.

EJnited States Patent [1 1 Gybowski et al.

1 SURFACE PROJECTILE TARGET MEMBER AND SIMULATED TARGET PIVOTED THEREBY [76] lnventors: Frank Gybowski; Estelle M.

Gybowski, both of 34 Edgewood Way, New Haven, Conn. 06515 [22] Filed: Sept. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 289,432

[52] U.S. Cl. 273/41, 273/127 D [51] Int. Cl. A63b 63/04, A63d 3/00 [58] Field of Search 273/41, 127 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 627,712 6/1899 Wemple 273/41 Feb. 19, 1974 2,776,137 1/1957 Cohn 273/41 1,622,981 3/1927 Tanaka...

1,003,249 9/1911 Gentle 273/41 2,427,434 9/1947 Whitehouse 273/127 D 1,571,503 2/1926 Barber 273/127 D UX Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-DeLio and Montgomery [57] ABSTRACT A game in which a rolling ball upon striking at least one revolvable cylinder which is loosely mounted on a horizontal rod imparts energy thereto to produce rev-.

olution of the cylinder which will strike the bottom of a pivotally mounted, rearwardly positioned target or indicator.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED EB I 91974 3. 792.859

sum 1 or 2 1 SURFACE PROJECTILE TARGET MEMBER AND SIMULATED TARGET PIVOTED THEREBY This invention relates to games, and more particularly relates to games of the type in which a rolling ball or sliding member is utilized to knock over an object or to signify a target has been struck.

The invention provides a new and improved device and mechanism which may advantageously be used to simulate the game of bowling, and accordingly will be described in such environment.

Briefly stated, the invention in one form thereof comprises a frame member which pivotally mounts a plurality of objects in the array of IO bowling pins. Disposed in front of selected pins are rod members which carry thereon an elongated hollow member of substantially greater diameter than the support rod and which depends below the support member. A ball is rolled beneath the support member and strikes one or more of said hollow members, the hollow member will revolve or orbit about a pathwhich will cause the hollow member to strike the pivoted pin member and knock it over. The pins or pin representations are so spaced with relation to their shape that when one pin falls it will knock over the two pins immediately therebehind and may produce a successive falling of the pins.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved game of skill utilizing a rolling ball'to strike a target.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device for simulating a game of bowling which is portable and easily stored.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the type described in a game of skill simulating bowling and further including new and improved means for resetting all pins.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, the invention both as to its organization and operation together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be appreciated by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the device of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 4 is a view seen in the plane of lines 4-4 of FIG. FIG. 5 is also a view that may be seen in the plane of lines 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4 showing the manner in which the resetting mechanism is operated.

A device 10 embodying the invention generally comprises a frame member 11 elevated above a reference plane or base R.by four legs 12. Frame 11 comprises end frame members 13 and 14 and a plurality of cross members 15-22 in equally spaced parallel relation extending between end frames 13 and 14. The ends of end frame members 13 and 14 may be reduced in size as indicated at 23, received in slots 24 in leg members 12 and secured thereto as by means of set screws 25. This construction enhances the portability and storage of the device. The legs 12 may be removed and the de- Vice stored in a small space. Extending between the cross members 15-22 and supported thereby are a plurality of pivotal rod-like members 26, 27, 28 and 29. A plurality of target members shown as bowling pin representations P, individually references as I X, are mounted to the rods 26 29 through means of a pair of spaced apart finger-like members 30 carried on the back surface of each pin P such that the pin-like members may pivot between an upright position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and horizontal or down positions with respect to the associated rods as exemplified by pin X in broken line in FIG. 1. The fingers 30 have a hinge portion 31 about the rods 26 29 as more clealy shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The pin members P are so shaped as to have a base portion 32 which in the erect position is supported on adjacent ones of cross members 15 22, in the array shown. Further, the pin members P are so dimensioned and spaced when one falls or is knocked to a horizontal position, it will knock over the twopins immediately therebehind. Carried on the guide rods 26 29 intermediate the fingers 30 of each pin P are reset members -34 which are fixed with respect to the rods 26 29 and which have free ends 35 resting on rods 37, 38, 39 and 40 carried in cross members 15 22 as more clearly shown in FIG. 1. The reset members 34 are normally in a retracted position as exemplified in FIG. 6. Carried on the rods 36 40 preferably in front of selected pins I IV, VI, VII, and X are a plurality of hollow cylindrical members 42 having an internal diameter many times greater than the rods 36 40. As exemplified in FIG. 1, members 42 are not disposed in front of pins V, VIII, and IX. It will be apparent that these pins will be knocked over by other pins forward thereof when such forward pins fall. Pins V, VIII and IX are not directly presented to the ball. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when a ball B strikes'a member 42 it will impart energy thereto making the member 42revolve about its associated support rod 36 4 40 and also strike the lower portion 32 of an associated pin causing the pin through its fingers 30 to rotate on its associated rod 26 29 to a horizontal position. The pins P have a lateral dimension greater than the spacings between any of the cross members. As-one of the pins falls it will strike the two pins immediately therebehind. For example, if the ball should strike the member 42 immediately in front of pin I, the player would usually knock down all pins. If the ball struck the member 42 in front of pin II this would result in the knocking of pins II, IV, V, VII, VIII I I and IX. If the ball should strike member 42 in front of pin VI, this would result in the knocking down of pins VI, IX and X. The pins will thus fall in much the same manner as in a regular bowling game.

The reset members 34 are operated through pivoting of the rods 26 29. As more clearly shown in FIG. 3, the ends 26a 29a of each of rods 26 29 are bent at substantially a right-angle on the outside of cross member 15. Pivotaly connected to each of end portions 264 29a is a connecting rod 44 by means of which all pins P may be reset simultaneously through rotation of rods 26 29. Cable or stringactuators 45 and 46 may be provided to initiate reset and then retract the reset mechanism. When cable 45 is pulled in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 3, end portion 26a and con necting rod 44 are moved to the broken line position. Movement of the rod 44 simultaneously moves the ends 26a- 29a and produces pivotal motion of rods 26 29 bringing the reset members 34 to an upright .position and thus resetting the pins to a vertical position.

After resetting of the pins, cable 46 is pulled in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 3. Cable 46 is passed about a pulley, 47 carried between cross member 15 and a side support member 48 (FIG. 1). Cable 46 is connected to end portion 29a and will pivot it back from the reset position shown in broken line in FIG. 3 to the position shown in full line in FIGS. 1 and 6. At this point, the pins willbe in a reset condition ready for the ball B to be rolled.

Alternatively, the reset mechanism may be operated by grasping the end 26a and moving it to the broken line position as shown in FIG. 3, and thereafter directly acting upon it to move it to the relaxed position as shown in the same figure.

The dimension between the rolling plane of the ball B and the underside of the frame 11 is, of course, sufficient to permit the ball to roll beneath frame 11. Hollow members 42 are chosen to have a dimension substantially greater than the diameter of their support rods.

The members 42 are preferably of a synthetic material and of relatively lightweight so that when the ball B strikes them, the energy imparted thereto will produce at least one revolution or twirl of the members 42 about their support rods. The diameter of the members 42 is so chosen with respect to the size of the ball that a line between the center of the member 42 and the center of the ball B at the moment of impact, substantially as shown in FIG. 4, is approximately 45. With this relationship, when the ball contacts the member 42, the components of the energy imparted thereto will be substantially equal in both the horizontal and vertical coordinates and would insure that a twirling or orbiting motion about the associated rod will be imparted to the member 42. It will be apparent that as the angle of contact (as measured with the horizontal) decreases, the rate of component of horizontal energy imparted to member 42 will be greater. If desired, this may be achieved by making the member 42 ellipsoid in crosssectional configuration or even rectangular. The angle of contact should not be so large that the horizontal component of energy imparted thereto will not be sufficient to cause member 42 to revolve.

While the invention has been disclosed as embodied in a bowling game, it is not limited thereto. It may be utilized as a golf putting simulator or any target type game in which a signal is given when a target device is struck.

It may thus be seen that the objects of the invention set forth as well as those made apparent from the foregoing description are efficiently attained. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for purposes of disclosure, modification to the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments of the invention and modifications to the disclosed embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A game comprising a frame member, means for supporting said frame member a predetermined height above a reference plane to permit a ball of predetermined diameter to pass thereunder, a plurality of horizontal support rods, a plurality of hollow cylindrical members supported loosely. on said rods in a predetermined pattern, said hollow members being of a crosssectional dimension such that the lowest point thereof when hanging from said rod defines a space with said reference plane which is less than the diameter of the ball so that when the ball strikes one of said hollow members it imparts energy thereto and causes said hollow member to revolve about said rod, a plurality of target members, means pivotally mounting the bottom ends of said target members on said frame behind and close to selected ones of said hollow members so that when a hollow member is caused to revolve by the ball the hollow member will strike directly the adjacent target member therebehind ata point above its pivotal mounting and produce pivotal motion thereof from an upright to a rearwardly down position. v

2. The game of claim 1 wherein said target members are so arranged that when one pivots from an upright position to a downed position it will strike another target member therebehind.

3. The game of claim 1 further including means for simultaneously resetting said target members from a downed to an upright position.

4. The game of claim 2 wherein the target members are ten in number, arranged in the position of bowling pins, and are shaped to represent the appearance of bowling pins.

5. The game of claim 1 wherein said means pivotaly mounting said target members are a plurality of second rods each mounted behind said first rods and pivotal in said frame, a reset member mounted in fixed relation to said second rods behind each target member and adapted to move a target member from a down position to an upright position upon pivotal movement of said second rods.

6. The game of claim 5 further including means pivotally connected to ends of said second rods and arranged to simultaneously pivot said second rods operate all of said reset means.

7.- The game of claim 6 wherein all of said second rods have an end portion turned substantially perpendicular to the second rods in said frame and said connecting means is a third rod connected to all of said end portions, whereby said third rod may be moved in a first direction to move all of said reset means and said target members to an upright position, and then moved in the opposite direction to retract said reset means.

8. In a game, a frame member, means for supporting said frame member a predetermined height above a reference plane to permit anobject of predetermined height to pass thereunder, a horizontal support rod, a hollow cylindrical member supported loosely on said rod, said hollow member being of a cross-sectioinal dimension such that the lowest point thereof when hanging from said rod defines a space with said reference plane which is less than the height of the object so that when the object strikes said hollow member it imparts energy thereto and causes said hollow member to revolve about said rod, a target member, means pivotally mounting the bottom end of said target member on said frame behind and close to said hollow member so that when said hollow member is caused to revolve by the object the hollow member will strike said target member at a point above its pivotal.mounting and produce pivotal motion thereof.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said object is a ball, said means mounting said target is a second rod pivotally carried in said frame member, said target member being pivotal on said rod between a first target position and a rearwardly knocked down position, a reset member carried on said second rod in fixed relation thereto and normally in a substantially horizontal position behind said target member whereby said sec- 

1. A game comprising a frame member, means for supporting said frame member a predetermined height above a reference plane to permit a ball of predetermined diameter to pass thereunder, a plurality of horizontal support rods, a plurality of hollow cylindrical members supported loosely on said rods in a predetermined pattern, said hollow members being of a crosssectional dimension such that the lowest point thereof when hanging from said rod defines a space with said reference plane which is less than the diameter of the ball so that when the ball strikes one of said hollow members it imparts energy thereto and causes said hollow member to revolve about said rod, a plurality of target members, means pivotally mounting the bottom ends of said target members on said frame behind and close to selected ones of said hollow members so that when a hollow member is caused to revolve by the ball the hollow member will strike directly the adjacent target member therebehind at a point above its pivotal mOunting and produce pivotal motion thereof from an upright to a rearwardly down position.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein said target members are so arranged that when one pivots from an upright position to a downed position it will strike another target member therebehind.
 3. The game of claim 1 further including means for simultaneously resetting said target members from a downed to an upright position.
 4. The game of claim 2 wherein the target members are ten in number, arranged in the position of bowling pins, and are shaped to represent the appearance of bowling pins.
 5. The game of claim 1 wherein said means pivotally mounting said target members are a plurality of second rods each mounted behind said first rods and pivotal in said frame, a reset member mounted in fixed relation to said second rods behind each target member and adapted to move a target member from a down position to an upright position upon pivotal movement of said second rods.
 6. The game of claim 5 further including means pivotally connected to ends of said second rods and arranged to simultaneously pivot said second rods to operate all of said reset means.
 7. The game of claim 6 wherein all of said second rods have an end portion turned substantially perpendicular to the second rods in said frame and said connecting means is a third rod connected to all of said end portions, whereby said third rod may be moved in a first direction to move all of said reset means and said target members to an upright position, and then moved in the opposite direction to retract said reset means.
 8. In a game, a frame member, means for supporting said frame member a predetermined height above a reference plane to permit an object of predetermined height to pass thereunder, a horizontal support rod, a hollow cylindrical member supported loosely on said rod, said hollow member being of a cross-sectional dimension such that the lowest point thereof when hanging from said rod defines a space with said reference plane which is less than the height of the object so that when the object strikes said hollow member it imparts energy thereto and causes said hollow member to revolve about said rod, a target member, means pivotally mounting the bottom end of said target member on said frame behind and close to said hollow member so that when said hollow member is caused to revolve by the object the hollow member will strike said target member at a point above its pivotal mounting and produce pivotal motion thereof.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said object is a ball, said means mounting said target is a second rod pivotally carried in said frame member, said target member being pivotal on said rod between a first target position and a rearwardly knocked down position, a reset member carried on said second rod in fixed relation thereto and normally in a substantially horizontal position behind said target member whereby said second rod may be pivoted to cause said reset member to engage the back of said target member and pivot said target member from a knocked down position to a target position. 